Itanagar, Even after the passage of the Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill aimed at promoting women's participation in electoral politics, the ground reality tells a different story in Arunachal Pradesh. Only a few women are taking part in the simultaneous voting for two Lok Sabha seats and 50 assembly constituencies in this northeastern state on April 19.
Toko Sheetal, representing the Gana Suraksha Party, is the only woman among the total 14 contestants for the two Lok Sabha seats - Arunachal East and Arunachal West.
Only eight women filed nominations for 50 assembly seats. The ruling BJP has fielded four candidates, the opposition Congress has fielded three, while one is an independent candidate. To date only one woman has represented the state in the Rajya Sabha, while 15 women have been elected to the Assembly since Arunachal Pradesh became a full-fledged state from the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) in 1987. Of the eight, the BJP candidate from Hayuliang constituency, Dasanglu Pul, won unopposed.According to women activists and political analysts, several factors such as cultural barriers, socio-economic barriers and lack of awareness may contribute to the low participation of women participants in electoral politics.
"Women should be given the right to vote and should be voted in. This will give them a chance to occupy political offices and contribute to the development of the nation," said Kenju Pakam, chairperson of Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW). ,
Expressing disappointment over the low participation of women in electoral politics, she said addressing these issues requires concerted efforts by both the government and civil society organizations to create an enabling environment that promotes women's participation in the political process. .
“Investing in women’s leadership is an investment in a stronger, more vibrant nation,” the APSCW chief said.Kani Nada Maling, president of Arunachal Pradesh Women's Welfare Society, a prominent women's organization in the state, has urged voters to elect leaders committed to women empowerment. ,
Maling believes that women are not allowed to take decisions in Arunachal Pradesh and as a result, many capable leaders are unable to participate in politics.
She said, "Without representation of women in the Assembly, how can their grievances be redressed? How can they be empowered? Courageous and vocal women leaders should be elected to the Assembly, and not those who are generally ( Men's) act as a rubber stamp." Some steps need to be taken for more women to come forward and join politics.
"Awareness campaigns, training and mentorship programs for aspiring women politicians, equal access to resources and opportunities, and implementing policies that support work-life balance for women in politics can help improve the situation," Maling said. Is." Here, Dr. Nani Bath, Associate Professor of Political Science at Raji Gandhi University, advocated the early implementation of reservation for women in politics."Education and literacy have failed to eradicate the patriarchal mindset prevalent in our society and culture, which is the major factor in such a scenario," BAT said. The Women's Reservation Act mandates reservation of one-third of the total number of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, which will come into effect later. Seats will be reserved for women candidates after the census and delimitation process.
Sibo Kai was nominated to the Assembly by the Governor in 1978. Nyeri Veli was the first woman to be elected to the Legislative Assembly from Sepe constituency as a People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) candidate in 1980. Komoli Mosang was elected as an independent candidate from Nampong constituency in 1980.Mosang was re-elected from this seat in 1990 as a Congress candidate.
Omem Moyong Deori was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha in 1984. He won the Lekang Assembly seat in 1990 on a Congress ticket.
Toko Sheetal, representing the Gana Suraksha Party, is the only woman among the total 14 contestants for the two Lok Sabha seats - Arunachal East and Arunachal West.
Only eight women filed nominations for 50 assembly seats. The ruling BJP has fielded four candidates, the opposition Congress has fielded three, while one is an independent candidate. To date only one woman has represented the state in the Rajya Sabha, while 15 women have been elected to the Assembly since Arunachal Pradesh became a full-fledged state from the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) in 1987. Of the eight, the BJP candidate from Hayuliang constituency, Dasanglu Pul, won unopposed.According to women activists and political analysts, several factors such as cultural barriers, socio-economic barriers and lack of awareness may contribute to the low participation of women participants in electoral politics.
"Women should be given the right to vote and should be voted in. This will give them a chance to occupy political offices and contribute to the development of the nation," said Kenju Pakam, chairperson of Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW). ,
Expressing disappointment over the low participation of women in electoral politics, she said addressing these issues requires concerted efforts by both the government and civil society organizations to create an enabling environment that promotes women's participation in the political process. .
“Investing in women’s leadership is an investment in a stronger, more vibrant nation,” the APSCW chief said.Kani Nada Maling, president of Arunachal Pradesh Women's Welfare Society, a prominent women's organization in the state, has urged voters to elect leaders committed to women empowerment. ,
Maling believes that women are not allowed to take decisions in Arunachal Pradesh and as a result, many capable leaders are unable to participate in politics.
She said, "Without representation of women in the Assembly, how can their grievances be redressed? How can they be empowered? Courageous and vocal women leaders should be elected to the Assembly, and not those who are generally ( Men's) act as a rubber stamp." Some steps need to be taken for more women to come forward and join politics.
"Awareness campaigns, training and mentorship programs for aspiring women politicians, equal access to resources and opportunities, and implementing policies that support work-life balance for women in politics can help improve the situation," Maling said. Is." Here, Dr. Nani Bath, Associate Professor of Political Science at Raji Gandhi University, advocated the early implementation of reservation for women in politics."Education and literacy have failed to eradicate the patriarchal mindset prevalent in our society and culture, which is the major factor in such a scenario," BAT said. The Women's Reservation Act mandates reservation of one-third of the total number of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, which will come into effect later. Seats will be reserved for women candidates after the census and delimitation process.
Sibo Kai was nominated to the Assembly by the Governor in 1978. Nyeri Veli was the first woman to be elected to the Legislative Assembly from Sepe constituency as a People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) candidate in 1980. Komoli Mosang was elected as an independent candidate from Nampong constituency in 1980.Mosang was re-elected from this seat in 1990 as a Congress candidate.
Omem Moyong Deori was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha in 1984. He won the Lekang Assembly seat in 1990 on a Congress ticket.
